booksandbongs's reviews
155 reviews

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa

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adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Cute story about books and what it means to care about them. 
Wish the cat had a larger role, I think it would’ve been better as a physical read 
The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II by Madeline Martin

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Enjoyed this one as an audiobook. Would’ve liked the story more sans romance elements I think.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

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emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

“Everyone loses their way at some point, and it’s not just because of their mistakes or the decisions they make. It’s because they’re horribly, wonderfully human. And the one thing I’ve learned about being human is that we can’t do this alone. When we’re lost, we need help to try to find our way again.”


Under the Whispering Door is a fantasy fiction novel by TJ Klune. The story follows Wallace, a bitter lawyer, who is retrieved by a reaper at his own funeral. After arriving at Charon’s Crossing, the owner makes a promise to help him cross over. 

This is my second book by Klune, after Cerulean was a 5 star read for me. Whispering Door is very different plot wise, but also has the “that felt like a warm hug” feeling. I loved the queer romance, it was everything I was hoping for. I really appreciate that Klune writes his characters without making their queerness their entire personality, it doesn’t feel forced or squeezed in to be inclusive. 
The plot is focused on death, but it truly is a story about living, making the most out of every moment, and second chances. The pace is slower but I enjoyed it — I felt very cozy reading the happenings at Charon’s Crossing day to day. 
The characters struggle with rage, grief, loss, and heartbreak, but over the course of the story do an incredible amount of healing. I felt like reading this helped me come to terms with some of my grief and fear of death as well.
My one criticism is that Wallace goes from very bad to very good pretty quickly, I would’ve liked to have seen his progression a little more.
This book is cute, cozy, sad, and heartwarming all at the same time. Definitely worth the read. 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I recommend checking the TW before reading due to the discussion of death and sensitive topics. 
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

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dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Laugh out loud funny, really engaging thriller. The audiobook was a fantastic choice. 
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

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challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

“This blanket of darkness isn’t our forever. Their evil isn’t forever. Not as long as we have our faith and Syria’s history running in our veins” 

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh is a speculative fiction novel set during the time of the Syrian Revolution. 

The book follows Salama, a young pharmacy student who finds her world turned upside down after the Arab Spring occurs and her home town becomes a battleground. Katouh’s writing is beautiful and immersive, capturing the characters feelings and painting a picture of Syrian reality.
I think it is important to call attention to how the characters are written. Salama and Layla are free spirited hijabi girls who live life to the fullest, Kenan rejects toxic masculinity, and every Syrian in the story loves their country and will do anything for freedom. The halal love story between Salama and Kenan was incredibly well done, their connection felt so deep and genuine. 
It is so refreshing to see positive Muslim representation that breaks away from stereotypes. I graduated from college with minors in Middle East studies as well as Arabic language, so these topics are very near and dear to my heart. 
While the story itself is fictional, the horrors and events in the book are a very real reality for Syria. I was aware of the atrocities happening, and this book still shook me to my core.

Lemon Trees encapsulates love, joy, fear and grief, stolen moments of happiness, and so much hope for a better future. This story made me smile while crying and feel so many emotions. Whatever you do, read this book. 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

5.0

I was so pleasantly surprised with ToD, after seeing mixed feedback I was worried because Choal’s character really grated on me. His character goes through a lot of redemption throughout ToD and I found myself really liking him again by the end. But ToD is so much more than “Choal’s redemption book”, it is also about Neseryn and Yerene’s journey and an incredible kingdom. I could definitely read another book about Antica, the khagan and his children. 
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

5.0

EoS might be my favorite in the series. Aelin’s plotting and scheming coming full circle, all of the details and characters from AB coming back into play, just wow. The battle scene in Skull’s Bay was one of the best written scenes in the series, and just a shining example of SJMs talent as a writer. I was anxious and sweating the whole time, lol. All of the supporting character development was so well done too. I see why everyone says have KoA ready to start right away…Maas really knows how to write so it hurts the most. Literally worse than I could have predicted 😭
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“Let’s go rattle the stars” 

Queen of Shadows is the fourth installment in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas.
This one feels really hard to talk about without spoilers! I’ll do my best to keep it minimal. 

I really found this book to be a real turning point in the series - the trajectory of the story has shifted and I can’t wait to see where it goes. The action in this one was incredible, it turned out to be a quick read. Aelin’s personal growth throughout QoS was fantastic, she is such an intelligent, badass FMC. One of the biggest surprises for me was Lysandra’s character, who I’ve quickly come to love. Aelin’s court is shaping up to be quite powerful. I also enjoyed Nesryn’s character and am excited for her and Choal’s journey to Antica.
I am loving Manon and the 13 - especially Asterin, whose backstory made me cry. I suspect EoS will bring some serious character development for her and the 13. 
I am interested in learning more about Elide’s character as well and seeing what role she will play. With the truth about the Valg king revealed, I am both excited and nervous to continue as the threat of war looms closer. 
This is a series where each book manages to be better than the last, and one that is quickly finding its way to my heart. 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“Things don’t have to stay as what they started out as” 



Legends and Lattes is a fantasy novel by Travis Baldree that tells the story of an Orc who decides to open a cafe, in a town where no one knows what coffee is. 

We follow Viv the orc as she leaves her violent life behind in favor of opening a cafe after discovering coffee. In a town where she knows no one, she decides to start a new life and meets some amazing friends along the way. 
The companionship Viv meets really made this story for me. I thought Tandri’s character was adorable and loved seeing Tandri and Viv work together. Thimble’s character was the cutest thing in the world, I just wanted to give him a hug and eat one of his cinnamon rolls. Cal’s character made me feel so at ease and I loved his willingness to make anything happen for Viv.
The unexpected slow burn queer romance was really lovely and I would love to see their relationship explored more in another book. 

This really is “slice of life” fantasy and if you’re expecting a lot of action and plot development this one might not be for you. If you’re looking for an easy, warm and cozy book that highlights found family and kindness, this is a must read. 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“If you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything.”

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J Maas is a collection of five novellas that give us a look into Celaena’s life before she was sent to Endovier. 

I chose to read the romantic route, so this read came right after Heir of Fire. I felt like I was so much more attached to Celaena and Sam in a way I don’t think I would’ve been if I read it first. I also loved getting to hear the full story behind things that have been mentioned in the series, like freeing the slave ships and stealing the Asterion horses. 
I loved the linear flow of the novellas and thought the individual stories were really well crafted. I think The Assassin and the Desert was my favorite — the Mute Master was so kind and I wonder how Celaena’s life would be different if she stayed there instead. 
I knew exactly what was going to happen to Sam going into it, but somehow Maas made sure to still make it HURT. Seeing Celaena so happy and optimistic while knowing the world of pain and trauma waiting for her was difficult. 
The reveal right at the end as to who was behind it all didn’t necessarily shock me, but I, like Celaena, didn’t think they were capable of it. 

All important elements of Celaena’s history that I hope come into play in the future (I do not believe Ms. Maas is done with Ansel’s character…). This is a great prequel that gives insight into Celaena’s character and continues the epic world building.